Norwalk City Zoning Code
175B.07 R-3
DISTRICT REGULATIONS.
The regulations set forth in this section or elsewhere in this ordinance which are applicable, shall apply in the R-3 Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential District.
1. Statement of Intent. The R-3 Zoning District is intended and designed for medium density residential areas of the City now developed with multiple-family dwellings and to permit additional areas to develop with medium density multiple-family dwellings.
2. Principal Permitted Uses. Only the use of structures or land listed in this subsection shall be permitted in the R-3 Zoning District.
A. Two-family dwellings. All two-family dwellings constructed after the date of adoption of this ordinance shall have no less than a 2 car garage per dwelling unit that is a minimum of 440 square feet in size with a minimum width of 20 feet.
B. One and Two-Family Dwellings - Rowhouse / Townhomes, not exceeding five (5) dwelling units per acre of lot area excluding public street right-of-way. All one and two-family rowhouse and townhome dwellings constructed after the date of adoption of this ordinance shall have no less than a 2 car garage per dwelling unit that is a minimum 440 square feet in size with a minimum width of 20 feet.
(Ord. 20-24 – Jan. 21 Supp.)
C. Multiple-Family Dwellings - Rowhouse / Townhomes, not exceeding twelve (12) dwelling units per acre of lot area excluding public street right-of-way and no greater than eight (8) dwelling units in a row or 8 units back-to-back per building. All multi-family dwelling buildings shall contain no fewer than 3 separate dwelling units and all units shall be horizontally attached only. All multiple-family dwellings shall have no less than one garage space for each unit. The garage space may be attached or detached and shall be a minimum 10 feet in width and 20 feet in depth. The number of garage spaces required for each dwelling unit shall be for the exclusive use of the occupants of each dwelling unit. Garage spaces may not be transferred for use by another tenant or separate individual or entity.
D. Parks, playgrounds, golf courses, and recreation areas.
E. Agricultural crops, truck farming, tree farms, and orchards, provided that no offensive odors are created, and provided further, that no retail sales shall be permitted on the premises.
F. Group quarters with more than four (4) persons who are not related by blood or marriage and do not constitute a family as defined by this ordinance shall not be permitted unless such use is permitted by over-riding state law, and if such use has adequate parking and meets all other site development requirements of this ordinance.
G. Child care center, day nursery or nursery school licensed by the State of Iowa, provided no building, structure, or accessory use for property so used is located less than twenty-five (25) feet from any adjoining RE-1, R-1, or R-2 District boundary; and provided there is established and well maintained in connection therewith a completely fenced play lot of no less than one thousand (1,000) square feet in area for the first twenty (20) or less children under care, with twenty-five (25) square feet added to such play lot area for each additional designated child capacity of the principal building.
H. Churches, chapels, temples, synagogues, and similar places of worship.
I. Public and parochial schools (elementary and secondary), colleges and universities.
J. Cemeteries, including mausoleums and crematoriums.
K. Golf, swimming, and tennis clubs on country clubs and similar public and non-commercial privately owned uses.
L. Museums and libraries not operated for profit.
M. Buildings and uses owned by a city, county, state or other political subdivision which are operated for the social benefit or convenience of the public, but excluding equipment storage yards and garages which are operated and maintained for the necessary business and industrial service of the community.
3. Permitted Accessory Uses. The following uses may exist as part of, or in accessory to the principal permitted or special uses.
A. All accessory uses permitted in and as limited in the R-2 Zoning District, provided such use shall comply with the minimum requirements of the R-3 Zoning District.
B. Management and sales offices associated and accessory to a multiple-family residential dwelling complex.
C. Recreation and service centers when provided as part of a multiple-family townhouse complex, and limited primarily for use by residents and their guests.
4. Special Uses. The following use may be permitted in the R-3 Medium Density Multiple-Family Residential District subject to the approval of a Special Use Permit by the Board of Adjustment in accordance with Chapter 175J after notice and public hearing.
A. All special uses permitted in and as limited in the R-2 One- and Two-Family Residential District.
5. Maximum Height Regulations. No principal building shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet in height, and no accessory structure shall exceed fifteen (15) feet in height, unless a greater height is permitted for a special use.
6. Bulk Regulations. The following minimum bulk requirements shall be observed in the R-3 Medium Density Multiple-Family Dwelling District:
Use | Lot Area | Lot Width | Front Yard Setback | Side Yard Setback, Least Width on Any One Side | Sum of Both Side Yard Setbacks | Rear Yard Setback |
Child Care Center^ | 40,000 sq. ft. | 150 feet | 35 feet | 25 feet | 50 feet | 35 feet |
Two-Family* | 12,500 sq. ft. | 100 feet | 25 feet | 10 feet | 20 feet | 35 feet |
One and Two-Family Rowhouse/
Townhouses* | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** |
Multi-Family Rowhouse/
Townhouses* | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** |
Other uses^ | 80,000 sq. ft. | 200 feet | 35 feet ** | 50 feet** | 100 feet | 35 feet** |
* Covered front porches that are fully open and not enclosed may encroach eight (8) feet into the front yard setback.
^ Minimum principal building separation for child care center and other uses shall be 20 feet, and all accessory structures shall comply with the principal building setbacks.
** An additional 10 feet of setback required for each building story.
*** One and Two-Family Rowhouse / Townhouse - a rowhouse or townhouse, wherein the owner of the dwelling unit owns the lot beneath the dwelling unit, shall be permitted in the R-3 District provided the lot for one dwelling has a minimum area of six thousand two hundred fifty (6,250) square feet, minimum width of fifty (50) feet and minimum side yard setback of zero (0) feet at the side lot line where the two dwellings are attached. Subject to the requirements of City Code Section 175A.36, public street frontage shall not be required for townhouse lots which are part of a complex which does not require a public street as part of the City’s transportation network and is master planned with a private common roadway serving the townhouse lots and maintained by an association of townhouse homeowners. A private, common roadway serving a complex of two-family townhouse dwellings shall not be greater than 660 feet in length for a cul-de-sac and 1,320 feet for a through street, which shall be intended to serve only dwellings within the complex. Individual townhouse lots shall not have minimum setback, lot width and area requirements, provided the tract of land encompassing the townhouse lots and common areas has public street frontage; a minimum width of one hundred (100) feet; a minimum area of forty thousand (40,000) square feet; maximum density of five (5) dwelling units per acre, minimum separation of fifteen (15) feet side to side and 30 ft. back to back or back to side between residential buildings; minimum separation of twenty-five (25) feet between a residential building and common private roadways; and a minimum building setback of thirty (30) feet from all boundaries of the complex, including public streets. The development of a townhouse complex shall require the approval of a site plan in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 175I, Site Plans, and approval of Homeowners Association documents by the City which establishes provisions for maintenance of common areas.
*** Multiple-Family Rowhouses / Townhouses - a rowhouse or townhouse, wherein the owner of the dwelling unit which is attached to 2 or more row dwellings owns the lot beneath the dwelling unit, shall be permitted in the R-3 District, provided the lot for one dwelling has a minimum lot area of 3,125 square feet per dwelling unit, minimum width of twenty (20) feet and no minimum setback from a townhouse lot line required. Subject to the requirements of City Code Section 175A.36, public street frontage shall not be required for townhouse lots which are part of a complex which does not require a public street as part of the City’s transportation network, and is master planned with a private, common roadway serving the townhouse lots and maintained by an association of townhouse homeowners. A private, common roadway serving a complex of dwellings shall not be greater than 660 feet in length for a dead-end cul-de-sac and 1,320 feet for a through street which shall be intended to serve only dwellings within the complex. The tract of land encompassing the townhouse lots and common areas shall have public street frontage with a minimum width of 200 feet, a minimum area of two (2) acres, maximum density of twelve (12) dwellings per acre, minimum separation of 15 feet side to side and 30 ft. back to back or back to side between residential buildings, minimum separation of 25 feet between a residential building and common private roadways and a minimum setback of thirty (30) feet from all boundaries of the complex, including public streets. The development of a townhouse complex shall require the approval of a site plan in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.80, 175I, and approval of Homeowners Association documents by the City, which establishes provisions for maintenance of common areas. | ||||||
7. Open Space and Landscaping Requirements. See Chapter 175D.
8. Off-Street Parking and Loading. See Chapter 175E.
9. Buffer Requirements. See Chapter 175F.
10. Architectural Standards. See Chapter 175G.
11. Sign Regulations. See Chapter 175H.
12. Site Plan Requirements. See Chapter 175I.
